Alcohol: 14.5%
Grape(s): Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec
Localization: Barossa Valley, Australia
Tasting notes: A blend of four classic varietals; Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc &
Merlot. This generous blend boasts a rich deep red-purple colour. Aromas of blackberries, satsuma plum and anise fill the glass. On the palate, plush tannins are accompanied by rich notes of cassis and blackcurrant. Together they produce a wine with lavish density, complexity and length. A wine that can be enjoyed now or laid down to age for many years.
Food pairing: Grilled meat, grilled vegetables, strong cheese as well. Also delicious with dark chocolate.
The Domain: The Shotfire range honors a family pioneer who worked the Barossa goldfields in the late 1800's. He had the hazardous job of being a 'Shotfirer'; one who handled the explosives to find that rich gold vein.
The winery owners are David and Cheryl Clarke (born Thorn) and their son Sam is the manager of the winery. The Thorn-Clarke family has a long history in the Barossa - six generations of involvement in the region's world famous wine industry. The Thorns have been grape growers in the Barossa since the 1870's. David Clarke's passion for the wine industry lead to the planting of the Kabininge vineyard outside of Tanunda in 1987, which represents the start of a deeper involvement by the family in the Barossa wine industry.
Thorn-Clarke Wines was launched in 2002 as a result of the 37-year marriage between David and Cheryl Clarke (nee Thorn). The Thorn family has grown vines in the Barossa since the 1870s and still proudly own and manage some of the oldest vineyards in the region.
The wine is another reward for geologist David Clarke and his family. The family has planted four diverse Barossa vineyards over the last 20 years, enabling them to blend wines grown from different terroirs, adding complexity and richness to the wine.
“When we started out 20 years ago I knew from my geological research that the varied Barossa geology and soil types offered us a broad palette to work with. Then when we started making trial blends in the 1990s it became clear that the vineyards complemented each other brilliantly and provided us with a new level of flavor complexity. We have blended to take advantage of these sub-regional and microclimatic characteristics.”
“Our philosophy is to over-deliver in terms of the quality we offer at each price level. Wine lovers remember wines which are stunning value and we work hard to ensure that whether people buy the Sandpiper range at $15 or the Shotfire range at $23 they are drinking wines that are excellent value for money.” -David Clarke